The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

"Looks like it's true." Constantine chewed on the remaining tobacco in his mouth, using it to alleviate his nicotine cravings.

"One demon is enough to convince you?" Yang Le asked curiously. "Aren't you usually more cautious? Want to try a few more times?"

Don't get the wrong idea, Yang Le wasn't some masochist begging to be beaten; he just wanted to see more black magic to broaden his horizons, so his long-offline Dimensional Demon God avatar could learn a thing or two.

Just as Yang Le said, Constantine looked like a madman who could gamble away his entire fortune and life, but in reality, he only did things he was sure of.

Like his famous battle that made him known throughout the magical world, where he deceived the three giants of Hell all at once, not only escaping unscathed but also curing his lung cancer. This was because he understood demons too well. They were too greedy to share their possessions with others and too cowardly to start a war with those of equal status. Constantine, who understood the demons' minds, naturally became the ultimate winner.

And just now, his test of Yang Le seemed to be just a summoning spell, but the summoned demon was not simple. Don't misunderstand, it wasn't that the demon was powerful or had a special identity; it was just a slightly more special imp.

The reason it was considered not simple was because of its particular trait—its troublesome nature. Imps being troublesome isn't just an Eastern saying. Constantine had used the imp's power in previous exorcisms. Although there was no formal contract, he had established a connection with it. He had originally planned to get rid of the imp after tonight, but he unexpectedly used it on Yang Le today.

Constantine's overt test was using the imp to attack Yang Le, but the real test was the curse after the imp's death. That's how demons are; they wouldn't willingly be killed. They usually cursed those who killed them before they died. When Constantine saw that Yang Le was completely unaffected, he had a better understanding of Yang Le's identity. At the very least, he had to have demigod-level resistance to ignore the curse.

Constantine felt that tonight was his lucky day. Not only did he have a romantic encounter and solve his problems, but he could also get something from a god, especially the latter, which he needed to carefully consider.

"No need, the test just now was enough." Constantine's deep appearance made it hard to associate him with the rogue he was at the beginning, because he was thinking about how to set the price.

"Let me start by saying what price I can offer," Yang Le said, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward to look at Constantine. "A favor. I can help you once when you need it, without violating my personal wishes, or I can give you power you've never seen before."

Constantine said without thinking, "Forget about the latter. I've been hearing that since I was wearing diapers. Why are you, a god, learning the ways of demons?"

"You don't think gods are any better than demons, do you?" Yang Le looked at Constantine with shock. The latter was slightly stunned and then said solemnly.

"That's true."

The divine punishments recorded in various religions were countless. Calculating it this way, the lives harmed by demons were not even a fraction of those killed by gods. Constantine, who had dabbled in various religions, naturally knew this.

"Back to the topic, what do you think of my proposal?" Yang Le said seriously. "I know you have a lot of debts, and I know you're good at maneuvering, but if one day you max out a credit card and can't close the loop, I might be able to give you a hand."

Constantine didn't answer immediately. He regretted not buying cigarettes. The nicotine cravings made him feel like demons were crawling on him, and even his brain was rusting.

Struggling to turn his rusty brain, Constantine decided to agree to Yang Le's suggestion. This was indeed the best thing he could get right now. After all, the other party's request was just to find someone. Getting a god's promise was already hitting the jackpot.

"Okay," Constantine nodded, extending his right hand to Yang Le. "I agree, but we need to sign a contract, otherwise, I'll have no place to cry if you go back on your word. You have to know, you're a god, and I'm just an ordinary person."

"Okay," Yang Le agreed to Constantine's request. He looked at the latter's empty right hand and asked.

"Then how do we sign the contract?"

"Just a handshake will do." Constantine waved his right hand. "Don't underestimate this simple action. It's not only ancient, but it also contains a lot of power. With just a little magic, it can form an unbreakable oath."

Yang Le didn't hesitate after hearing this. He extended his right hand and shook it. As soon as his right hand touched Constantine's right hand, a magic circle appeared on the back of both of their right hands. A gust of wind blew, causing Constantine's trench coat to flutter.

"Now the contract is established." Constantine withdrew his right hand. The magic circle on it disappeared without a trace, as if it had never appeared.

Yang Le also withdrew his hand and said to Constantine, "Now can you help us?"

"Of course, but before that, I have a small request." Constantine rubbed his hands together.

"What request?" Yang Le raised an eyebrow. "I hope you don't take an inch after being given a foot, or I might punch you."

"Don't be so vulgar." Constantine wasn't afraid of Yang Le's threat at all. "It's just a pack of cigarettes. I haven't smoked for three hours. Without it, I'll underperform."

…

Satisfied, Constantine stood in his apartment, contentedly puffing out a mouthful of smoke from his beloved Silk Cut cigarette. The room was immediately filled with clouds.

The latest novels are first published at 69shu.com!

"Smoke less, Constantine," Zatanna waved her hand, looking at the surrounding smoke with disgust. "Be careful of your lungs."

"Hearing you care about me so much makes me very happy, little princess."

Perhaps because of the cigarettes, Constantine was very relaxed. He didn't look like he was smoking, but rather like he was high on weed.

'Having a god backing me up, I don't even know how to show off to those demons.' Constantine intentionally or unintentionally looked at his right hand, his smug look like a historical courtier.

It wouldn't be Constantine if he didn't have ulterior motives. He naturally added some tricks to his contract with Yang Le. Although, just like he said, a handshake was an ancient and powerful action, it was also very simple, so simple that it didn't have any ability to hide the identity of either party in the contract. As long as Constantine showed the contract on his right hand, anyone with magical detection could see that he had signed a contract with a god.

This meant that Constantine was now wearing an imperial gold medal on his right hand. Without Yang Le knowing, he could use this tiger skin to wave the flag as he pleased. Constantine even wanted to find the First of the Fallen and slap him in the face, using this right hand to slap him.

Anyway, it's not him who will be in trouble then.